Department for Transport

Taxis: Licensing

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2019 to Question 232503 on Taxis: Licensing, what the timeframe is for bringing forward legislative proposals to reform taxi and private hire licensing laws.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Government will bring forward legislation in respect of the commitments made in the response to the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing when time allows.

Taxis: Licensing

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2019 to Question 240585 on Taxis: Licensing, what the timeframe is for his Department to bring forward legislative proposals on restricting cross-border hiring by private hire drivers.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Government is considering how any restriction of out-of-area journeys by taxis and private hire vehicles proposed by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group might work in practice, with a view to legislating.

Taxis: Licensing

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the recommendation made by the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Licensing and in response to the representations made by the Mayor of (a) London and (b) Greater Manchester, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling (i) towns and (ii) cities to cap the number of private hire vehicles operating in an area.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Government’s position on enabling the restriction of private hire vehicles was set-out in the response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group; that powers already available to local authorities should be used to address air quality and congestion concerns.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Pubs Code Adjudicator

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many enquiries to the Pubs Code Adjudicator have been made by (a) telephone, (b) email and (c) post in each month since July 2016; and what the average response time was of the Pub’s Code Adjudicator to those enquiries.

Kelly Tolhurst: Enquiries to the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) can be made by telephone, website or through an email to the enquiries email address. The PCA expects to make contact within one working day. The PCA has calculated that on average enquiries are closed within 6 days of being made. Since July 2016 the PCA has had the following enquiries: MonthReceived via phoneReceived via emailReceived via websiteNot categorisedTotalJuly 2016801240105August 2016860280114September 201656319280October 201636111149November 201626011037December 201617110028January 201718212032February 201711010021March 20171509024April 20171023015May 20172103024June 20171608024July 201740105August 20171503018September 20171301014October 20171436124November 20172245031December 2017903012January 20181100011February 20181301115March 201822149April 2018713617May 2018612514June 2018670417July 2018321511August 20182311319September 2018811010October 201832038November 2018520512December 201801023January 2019524011February 201932409March 201900808April 201920215Total5454319553836

Public Houses: Investment

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the value of investment into UK pubs provided by the six companies covered by the Pubs Code.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government has not made such an assessment.

Pubs Code Adjudicator: Legal Costs

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the cost of legal advice has been sought by the Office of the Pubs Code Adjudicator since July 2016.

Kelly Tolhurst: According to the Pubs Code Adjudicator, the total costs for external legal services for completed and audited financial years (2016/17 and 2017/18) is £101,844.68.

Pubs Code Adjudicator

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the average cost of an arbitration decision by the Pub’s Code Adjudicator has been since July 2016.

Kelly Tolhurst: From its levy calculations, the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) estimates the average cost to the PCA of an arbitration decision as £4,323.31 in 2017 and £6,849.50 in 2018.

Pubs Code Adjudicator: Staff

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many people are employed on a (a) full-time and (b) part-time basis by the Pubs Code Adjudicator; and if he will publish the salary bands for those employees.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) is a corporation sole who has no power to directly employ any members of staff. Staff are seconded on the terms of their home organisation, within the salary band for their grade. Currently the PCA has 12 staff seconded, all of whom are on a full-time equivalent basis.

Pubs Code Adjudicator: Secondment

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many secondees from government departments are employed by the Pub’s Code Adjudicator by government department.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) is a corporation sole who has no power to directly employ any members of staff. Currently the PCA has 12 seconded members of staff from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Home Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education.

Pubs Code Adjudicator: Standards

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the performance of the Pubs Code Adjudicator relative to performance targets.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government launched the statutory review of the Pubs Code and Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) on 30 April, inviting views and evidence from stakeholders and the public. In accordance with section 65 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, the review will consider the PCA’s performance from 2 May 2016 to 31 March 2019, in particular how effective the Adjudicator has been in enforcing the Pubs Code. The invitation to contribute to the review ends on 22 July. A report on the findings of the review will be published and laid before Parliament as soon as practicable.

Department for Education

Department for Education: Secondment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many civil servants in his Department have been seconded to (a) the Department for Exiting the European Union and (b) the Department for International Trade in each of the last three years.

Anne Milton: The Civil Service is focused on delivering the government’s most pressing priorities, and this includes departments sharing staff and working together on joint projects.Since January 2019, the department has been part of a coordinated resourcing exercise across the Civil Service to support preparations for leaving the EU without a deal. As part of this exercise, the department seconded 2 people to the Department for Exiting the European Union and 1 person to the Department for International Trade.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Disability

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what provisions are being made for severe disability premium (SDP) claimants who were moved on to universal credit before the transitional SDP amount came into force.

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timescale is for her Department (a) to identify all claimants who are eligible for a transitional severe disability premium and (b) when that payment will be awarded to eligible claimants.

Justin Tomlinson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 249942.

Food Banks: Ogmore

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data her Department collects on the use of food banks in Ogmore.

Will Quince: The Government does not collect official data on the use of food banks. We have worked with the Scottish Government, food insecurity experts, and the Office for National Statistics to introduce a new set of food security questions in the Family Resources Survey starting from April 2019. This means that we will in future be able to able to monitor the prevalence and severity of household food insecurity across the UK and for specific groups, to better understand the drivers of food insecurity and identify which groups are most at risk.

Children: Maintenance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2019 to Question 246453, on Children: Maintenance, how many times each of the powers listed in the Answer have been used.

Will Quince: We do not keep information on the number of times Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) request information from financial institutions to check the accuracy of information. Regarding the number of times Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) will seek to prosecute or forward to HMRC for fraud action. I can confirm there has been one prosecution in 2019 with 3 other cases are being investigated by Crown Prosecution Service. The arrangements with HMRC to provide them with information regarding Child Maintenance Group investigations has been finalised and the first transfer of data will occur in mid May.

Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April to Question 243333, on Universal credit: private rented housing, what percentage of new claimants contact the Money and Pensions Service within three months of signing on to universal credit.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April to Question 243333 on Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing, if he will make an assessment of trends in the level of claimants making contact since February 2019 as a result of those changes.

Alok Sharma: The requested information is not centrally collected by the Department. The Money and Pension Service (MaPS) has replaced the three existing providers of government-sponsored financial guidance – the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise – which has brought together the provision of debt advice, money guidance and pension guidance for the first time, streamlining the services offered and reducing confusion for members of the public on who they should contact. The new body delivers free and impartial financial guidance and a more streamlined service to members of the public providing easier access to the information and guidance. From January to March 2019 around 9,300 individuals visited the Money Manager tool for Universal Credit claimants, hosted on the Money Advice Service website. Additionally, over the same period, The Money and Pension Service money guidance contact centre was contacted around 1,100 times regarding Universal Credit.

Department for Work and Pensions: Secondment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many civil servants in her Department have been seconded to (a) the Department for Exiting the European Union and (b) the Department for International Trade in each of the last three years.

Will Quince: This information can only be provided at disproportionate cost. The Department for Work and Pension has worked closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union and other Government Departments as part of the UK’s preparations to exit the EU. The Department has prepared for all eventualities including no deal. Preparations have been undertaken by staff as part of their regular duties.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Utilities: Older People

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions hisw Department has had with the Northern Ireland executive on ensuring the affordability of essential services such as energy and water for older people in Northern Ireland.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Energy policy is the responsibility of the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy.Responsibility for water supply and charging is devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. No discussions about the issue of affordability of water services for older people in Northern Ireland have therefore taken place.

Sewers: Lytham

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) estimate of the number and (b) assessment of the composition of discharges into (i) Liggard Brook and (ii) Main Drain by United Utilities has been made by the Environment Agency in each of the last five years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: There are three United Utilities discharges into Liggard Brook and Main Drain (Ballam Road Pumping Station and Warton Pumping Station respectively) and Lytham Pumping Station at the confluence of the two. The table below summarises (a) the number of spills from these locations. The figures during 2015 are high due to Storm Desmond. We do not currently hold data from 2016 which is held by United Utilities.DischargeFY 2013-14FY 2014-15FY 2015-161 Apr 2017 to 30 Sep 2017Calendar year 2018Ballam Road PS0151111Warton PS161404633Lytham PS5350326 (b) Discharges are from the combined sewer system before it has been treated, so they are made up of sewage diluted by rainfall runoff from roads and roofs.

Birds: Pest Control

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the inability of the email account birds2019@naturalengland.org.uk to accept applications for individual licences for pest control on the 25 April 2019.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Natural England has explained to me that action was taken once it was apparent there were technical issues with birds2019@naturalengland.org.uk. All issues were resolved within three hours.

Birds: Pest Control

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the length of the notice given by Natural England to countryside organisations in advance of the withdrawal of three General Licences on the 24 April 2019.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Natural England informed stakeholders of the Judicial Review from Wild Justice on 15 March 2019. Natural England announced it would withdraw the licences on 23 April 2019. The licences were withdrawn on 25 April 2019.

Natural England: Public Consultation

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what obligations have been placed on Natural England to (a) consult and (b) engage with stakeholder organisations on the exercise of the functions of Natural England.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Natural England has a number of functions vested in it by various specific enactments, some of which contain specific requirements to consult in certain circumstances. In addition, as a Government regulator, Natural England must have regard to the Regulator’s Code issued under the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 as well as comply with appropriate Government policies and procedures on regulation.

Birds: Pest Control

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of applications for individual licences to control avian pest species that were received by Natural England since 25 April 2019.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Between 25 April and 8 May 2019 Natural England has received 3,828 individual licence applications for the control of wild birds for purposes which were formerly covered by the general licences GL04, GL05 and GL06.

Home Office

Immigration: EU Nationals

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme have been refused in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) London and (d) Lewisham borough; and what the reasons for those refusals were.

Caroline Nokes: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 01 May 2019.The correct answer should have been:

The latest figures that are available have been published in two separate reports on both private beta phases:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752872/181031_PB1_Report_Final.pdf. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-private-beta-2/eu-settlement-scheme-private-beta-testing-phase-2-report.We will publish further details on application outcomes in due course.The latest figures that are available have been published in two separate reports on both private beta phases:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752872/181031_PB1_Report_Final.pdfhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-private-beta-2/eu-settlement-scheme-private-beta-testing-phase-2-report.We will publish further details on application outcomes in due course.

Caroline Nokes: The latest figures that are available have been published in two separate reports on both private beta phases:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752872/181031_PB1_Report_Final.pdf. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-private-beta-2/eu-settlement-scheme-private-beta-testing-phase-2-report.We will publish further details on application outcomes in due course.The latest figures that are available have been published in two separate reports on both private beta phases:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752872/181031_PB1_Report_Final.pdfhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-private-beta-2/eu-settlement-scheme-private-beta-testing-phase-2-report.We will publish further details on application outcomes in due course.

Educational Testing Service: Prosecutions

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many employees of ETS have been prosecuted over cases involving TOEIC English Language tests.

Caroline Nokes: No individuals employed directly by ETS Global BV have been prosecuted. A number of individuals who were involved in the running of test centres have been prosecuted. So far 25 people have been convicted for their role in helping to organise the fraud with convictions of over 70 years handed down to date.

Overseas Students: English Language

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much his Department has spent on (a) internal investigations, (b) court fees and (c) deportation in cases involving TOEIC students since 2016.

Caroline Nokes: The information requested is not held centrally by the Home Office.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many formal complaints his Department received during the private beta testing phase of the EU Settlement Scheme; and what the subject of these complaints was.

Caroline Nokes: The EU Settlement Scheme makes it simple and straight forward for EU citizens and their family members who want to stay in the UK to get the immigration status they need.Over 31,000 people applied during the two private beta testing phases. Just one complaint was received through the formal complaints process during this time. The complaint was in response to a technical issue and was resolved satisfactorily.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to feedback on the private beta two phase of the EU Settlement Scheme, what feedback was provided by people who neither spoke highly nor gave a neutral response.

Caroline Nokes: As part of our commitment to improving the application process for customers, feedback during both the private beta 1 and 2 phases and the public beta phase was sought via a voluntary online survey. In total, 1,330 applicants completed the survey during private beta 2. Of these 61% of customers said they would speak highly of the application process, 19% said they would be neutral, 19% would be critical and 1% said they did not know.Changes were made to the system as a result of this feedback, ahead of the public beta test phase. In the public beta test phase, 75% of applicants completing the survey said they would speak highly of the application process, 15% said they would be neutral and 11% would be critical. With regards to completing the application form, in the public beta phase 81% said completing the form was either easy of fairly easy with a further 8% finding it neither difficult or easy.